Crew Canada offered by IGA will lean on their depth this weekend within the Davis Cup Qualifiers 1st Spherical towards Hungary, with 4 of the 5 gamers on the group anticipated to play throughout the 5 matches. The draw for the weekend’s tie was made on Friday at IGA Stadium in Montreal, the positioning of the qualifying encounter.
Captain Frank Dancevic nominated Gabriel Diallo and Alexis Galarneau to play singles for Canada, with veteran Vasek Pospisil and rookie Liam Draxl teaming up within the doubles. With this lineup, no Canadian is predicted to play each singles and doubles.
The identical can’t be mentioned for the Hungarians, who nominated their top-ranked participant, Fabian Marozsan, to play singles and doubles. Hungary caught to their rankings with their nominations, going with Maroszan and Marton Fucsovics in singles.
On Saturday, Galarneau will open the tie towards Hungarian No. 1 Marozsan, adopted by Canadian No. 1 Diallo taking over Fucsovics. Draxl and Pospisil will kick off the motion on Sunday within the doubles towards the Hungarian pair of Marozsan and Mate Valkusz. The doubles will likely be adopted by the battle of No. 1s, pitting Diallo towards Marozsan. If obligatory, Galarneau and Fucsovics could possibly be referred to as upon to determine the tie within the fifth and ultimate match on Sunday.
“I’m completely happy to have the ability to set the tone, to offer power to the group, to ship a superb efficiency,” mentioned Galarneau after studying he would play the opening match. “Two years in the past in Italy, I performed the primary match. It brings motivation, an additional stress that if it’s well-managed, is a optimistic. I’m excited for it.”
In truth, Galarneau performed the opening match for Canada twice in Italy through the 2023 Finals Group Stage. He went 2-0, beating higher-ranked opponents each occasions. He has a 2-1 report total in singles in Davis Cup.
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On paper, regardless of Canada being the higher-ranked nation (No. 3, Hungary is No. 22), the Hungarian gamers maintain the sting relating to ATP rankings. Marozsan is the highest-ranked participant within the tie at No. 58 whereas Fucsovics can also be contained in the Prime 100 at No. 96. Diallo is the lone Canadian contained in the Prime 100 at No. 85 whereas Galarneau is the lowest-ranked participant nominated for singles at No. 176.
Diallo was requested if he felt the truth that Hungary has their two highest-ranked gamers, whereas Canada is with out their prime two, makes the hosts the underdog. The Montrealer disagreed, saying, “Underdog? No, I don’t assume so as a result of we’re enjoying at dwelling. To me, once we play at dwelling, we’re by no means the underdog. Particularly in Montreal for me personally. Final yr we had success right here, we had a really related group.”
Diallo has performed within the No. 1 spot for Canada in 5 Davis Cup ties, together with final yr in Montreal towards the Republic of Korea. He has a 4-2 report enjoying because the Canadian No. 1, together with two wins at this stage final yr.
Three of the 4 singles matches on the schedule after Friday’s draw will likely be a primary assembly between the gamers.
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Solely Galarneau and Fucsovics have met earlier than, and that was simply final week at an ATP Challenger occasion in Oeiras, Portugal. Galarneau defeated the Hungarian in straight units.
“It wasn’t one of the best match of my profession, that’s for certain,” mentioned Fucsovics throughout Crew Hungary’s press convention on Friday. “Within the final months, I used to be struggling somewhat bit, I had a few accidents so I’m nonetheless attempting to get well. However this week I used to be working very arduous and spent plenty of time on the courtroom so I’m beginning to really feel assured once more and I believe I’m prepared for the weekend. I’m very motivated.”
Draxl is presently the highest-ranked Canadian within the ATP doubles rankings at No. 113. He already has an ATP Challenger title to his title in 2025, having received in Oeiras final week with Cleeve Harper, and received six doubles titles in 2024. He will likely be making his Davis Cup debut.
Learn additionally: Dancevic Highlights Montreal Environment Forward of Davis Cup Qualifiers
Harper can also be part of Crew Canada this weekend however was not chosen to play.
Draxl and Pospisil will likely be teaming up in doubles for the primary time. They’ve by no means performed an expert doubles match collectively earlier than. Draxl will likely be Pospisil’s ninth totally different companion in Davis Cup competitors for the reason that British Columbian made his Crew Canada debut in 2008.
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When requested how he felt about attending to group up with certainly one of Canada’s most skilled and adorned Davis Cup gamers in Pospisil, Draxl mentioned, “It’s tremendous cool. Rising up, watching Vasek play Davis Cup, watching him win Wimbledon, it’s positively tremendous cool to play with such a Davis Cup legend. He’s received so many large matches for the nation. I’m actually pumped to get on the market and play.”
Throughout Crew Canada’s press convention, Pospisil was requested if this weekend’s tie could possibly be his ultimate look in Davis Cup competitors. The veteran of 35 Davis Cup ties, together with this weekend, was clear that he was not confirming that this may be his final time suiting up for Canada however did say “I’ll be making some sort of determination this yr” and acknowledged that it might in reality be his ultimate time representing Canada.
“I simply need to soak it in and luxuriate in it. There’s a excessive probability that this will likely be my final tie so I’m going to attempt to get pleasure from it one of the best I can,” mentioned Pospisil. “However on the similar time, I’m right here to do the job and I need to contribute to the group and get the win within the doubles. That’s the principle focus and check out to not get too distracted with the truth that it could be the final one. However after all, it’s nonetheless behind my thoughts and I’ll simply attempt to benefit from the week.”
Pospisil has a 17-13 profession report in Davis Cup doubles matches.
Galarneau and Marozsan will get the tie underway on Saturday at 12:45 pm at IGA Stadium in Montreal.
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Tickets for the Davis Cup Qualifiers 1st Spherical tie between Canada and Hungary at the moment are on sale. Be a part of us February 1 and a pair of at IGA Stadium in Montreal, because the Canadian group begins their quest for the 2025 Davis Cup Last 8. To entry tickets at early-bird pricing, click on right here.
